Fitness cycle

ABSTRACT

The fitness cycle of the present invention is equipped with a DC motor along with a control circuit, enabling the users to drive the trampling set via the DC motor. Multiple speeds can be adjusted via a control device to generate a steering effect. Conversely, if the users need an increased movement resistance load, the fitness cycle allows for free switching to generate resistance by the same DC motor through current control. The resistance value to generate a multi-speed resistance movement effect is adjustable. With the configuration of the seating unit, the users flexibly adjust and adapt themselves to an optimum ergonomic posture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

cycleThe present invention relates generally to a fitness cycle, andmore particularly to an innovative cycle with electric driving andresistance functions, allowing for multi-speed adjustment, cycle

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

cycleA conventional fitness cycle can be referred to as a track stepper,which allows a user to set a damping value for a damping device, thisvalue being adjustable when necessary. The user will sense theresistance as if stepping on a trampoline, having to drive the stepperwith greater force to achieve the desired fitness purpose. So, a fitnesscycle is an piece of active fitness equipment for healthy users.

For physically disabled users, a self-driven fitness cycle is alsodeveloped for driving force against resistance. When the user steps onthe equipment, a switch button is pressed to activate thetrampoline-like stepping movement, thereby achieving the purpose offitness or rehabilitation. So, this fitness cycle is a piece of passivefitness equipment for physically disabled users.

However, the aforementioned structures are unavailable with a dualmotion mode that can be switched between active and passive motions.Thus, there is still a room for improvement in this industry.

Moreover, the seating unit of existing fitness cycles is generallyequipped with an adjustment mechanism. However, such adjustmentmechanisms have a single position or height configuration that does notallow the user to adjust in dual directions. So, the motion angle cannotbe adapted efficiently to meet customized ergonomic demands.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it wouldbe an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that cansignificantly improve efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention ofpracticability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years ofexperience in the production, development and design of relatedproducts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

cycleWith the configuration of a control circuit, the fitness cycle,users drive along with a DC motor to generate a multi-speed steeringeffect, when intended for passive movement. Conversely, if the usersneed resistance, the control circuit allows for free switching into theresistance training with foot movements on a trampling unit, so as togenerate resistance by the same DC motor through current control, Theresistance value is adjusted to generate a multi-speed resistancemovement effect.

Thus, the present invention is suitable for physically healthy users ordisabled users, who can physically exercise through manual or automaticswitching between a fitness purpose or recovery purpose.

With the configuration of the seating unit, users flexibly adjust theguide device and slide device via the chair seat in a manual orautomatic adjustment mode. An optimum ergonomic movement gesture isadapted for each user. For example, the included angle between two legsand feet can be set at 45° when the feet step on the footplate.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

cycle FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side elevation view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an illustration of the flow controlof the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts another schematic view of an illustration to the flowcontrol view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of the circuit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a side elevation view of the chair adjustment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation view of the usual chair adjustment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

cycleThe features and the advantages of the present invention will bemore readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the followingdetailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-7 depict preferred embodiments of the fitness cycle of thepresent invention. The embodiments are provided for only explanatorypurposes with respect to the patent claims.

The fitness cycle A comprises a carriage 1, a trampling unit 2 on thecarriage 1, a control device 3 as an operating display panel, and aseating unit 4.

The trampling unit 2 is composed of DC motor 20, trampling set 21 andsecondary drive unit 22. The secondary drive unit 22 is composed of abig pulley, fly wheels 23, 24 and drive belt 25. The DC motor 20 isdriven by a power supply and also connected with the control device 3.The control device 3 comprises a circuit control unit 30 and an outputmodule 31 connected to the circuit control unit 30. A signal control andswitching unit 32 connects with output module 31. A vector compensationmodule 33 connects with the signal control and switching unit 32. Aresistance control loop 34 and a steering control loop 35 connect withthe signal control and switching unit 32. A brake module 36 connects toresistance control loop 34.

When the control device 3 inputs a signal to the circuit control unit 30enabling the power supply to feed an output power to DC motor 20 forgenerating a rated voltage, the signal is transmitted via the outputmodule 31 to the signal control and switching unit 32. Next, the signalis read and computed along with vector compensation module 33, and thenoutput to the steering control loop 35, enabling DC motor 20 to drivethe trampling set 21 so as to form an electric steering system.Conversely, if the trampling set 21 is applied to drive DC motor 20 whenthe input voltage of trampling set 21 is greater than the rated voltageof DC motor 20, the signal will be detected by circuit control unit 30and fed back reversely to output module 31, then being transmitted tosignal control and switching unit 32 for reading and computation.Finally, output to the resistance control loop 34 and the damping valueis output by the brake module 36, so as to shape a motion resistancesystem.

Said seating unit 4 is equipped with a mobile unit 40, a lifting unit 41and a chair seat 42. The mobile unit 40 is composed of a slide device 43and a mobile motor 44. The mobile motor 44 is adapted onto the front endof the carriage 1, and also provided with a shifting axle 45 mated withthe slide device 43. The lifting unit 41 is coupled with the mobile unit40, and also provided with a support frame 46, a guide device 47 and alifting motor 48. The support frame 46 is fastened onto the slide device43, and the guide device 47 is mounted onto the support frame 46. Thelifting motor 48 is mounted onto the slide device 43, and also providedwith a lifting shaft 49. The chair seat 42 is coupled with the liftingunit 41. The back of the chair seat 42 is coupled with the guide device47 of lifting unit 41, and the bottom of the chair seat 42 coupled withthe lifting shaft 49 of lifting motor 48.

DC motor 20 is a brush motor or brushless motor.

The circuit control unit 30 is operated through the control device 3 tochange the revolution number of DC motor 21, allowing for multi-speedvariation.

The signal control and switching unit 32 is an OP AMP (operationamplifier).

The circuit control unit 30 is equipped with an A/D converter to detectthe change of rated voltage.

The control device 3 is available with a manual mode or a manual/autoswitching mode. The control device is provided with a startup key, amanual switching key, an auto switching key, a mode switch key and astop key, all of which are connected with the circuit control unit 30.

Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention is operatedas follows:

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict flow control views of the present invention, whichare read in conjunction with the schematic view of the circuit of FIG.5. Since DC motor 20 is used as a drive motor, the drive power of the DCmotor is power supply E, and the operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q2 isapplied to control the feedback circuit. According to the relationalexpression of Vref2=Vo×R4/(R4+R3), rated voltage will be generated atboth ends of DC motor 20, the positive and negative electrodes.

Generally, the output of operation amplifier (OP AMP) is switchedthrough Pulse Width Modulation circuit (PWM), and Tr1 (FET or IGBT)switched via drive unit. Then, the rated voltage Vo will be generated.Referring to FIG. 4, although the input of operation amplifier (−) isswitched through a circuit at both ends of the DC motor, the input isperformed through a low-pass filter in an actual circuit. Additionally,given the fact that the rated voltage Vo of Tr1 is higher than thepotential of grounding end (GND), the basic potential of operationamplifier (OP AMP) Q2 is the potential of grounding end (GND), and thedrive level of Tr1 must be switched. A High Side Driver and opticalcoupler shall be required. Subsequently, Vref2 is controlled by amicrocomputer (MPU). Due to a proportional relationship betweenrevolution number of controlled motor and the rated voltage Vo, there isalso a proportional relationship between revolution number and Vref2,and the revolution number of DC motor 20 can be set randomly viamicrocomputer (MPU). In such a case, since the growing load of DC motor20 leads to increase of current, the motor current must be controlled,thus forming a rated current circuit controlled by operation amplifier(OP AMP) Q3. The upper limit of motor current could be determined as thevoltage of Vref3×(R2/R1) generated at both ends of Re2 is measured fromthe current. When the fitness cycle A is used as a DC motor 20, therevolution number obtained from Vref2 and maximum torque could bedetermined, and the torque load for the feet is also set for the safetyof the elderly users and physically disabled users.

If the user steps on the footplate more energetically, namely, makingthe rotational speed faster than the revolution number decided by Vref2,the generating voltage of DC motor 20 will be bigger than theaforementioned rated voltage Vo. The feedback circuit controlled byoperation amplifier (OP AMP) Q2 will be switched off, while the outputvoltage of operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q2 will be smaller than thefeedback circuit. The voltage change is detected by an A/D converter ofmicrocomputer (MPU). The output voltage of operation amplifier (OP AMP)Q2 will make Tr1 in an OFF state.

The aforementioned describes the principle of generating electricity bystepping on the footplate, whereby electricity is generated by DC motor20, and whereby voltage is generated from the positive and negativeelectrodes as shown in FIG. 5. In the feedback circuit of operationamplifier (OP AMP) Q1, the electric energy generates via Tr2 a ratedcurrent Io from the positive electrode of the DC motor to Re1, andfinally back to the negative electrode of DC motor. The current of powersupply (E) does not flow to the DC motor when Tr1 is in OFF state. Therated current Io is determined by Vref1 controlled by microcomputer(MPU). The load of fitness cycle A is caused from trampling set 21 sincethere is a proportional relationship between rated current value Io andtorque of DC motor. This torque will increase the footplate torque forthe gear ratio of the big pulley and fly wheel 23, 24.

It is thus learnt that, this circuit can be applied to the fitnesscycle. Since the DC motor can be switched smoothly from a drive motor toa generator, it is possible to increase Vref1 from 0V, and also toconvert the current in reverse, thereby achieving an active/passiveswitching mode to meet customer demands.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the application view of seating unit 4 of thepresent invention, which controls the mobile unit 40 and lifting unit 41of seating unit 4 through chair seat controller 50, so that the chairseat 42 moves forward/backward and lifts up/down in the carriage 1 alongwith the slide device 43 and guide device 47, allowing flexibleadjustment according to the stature of users and achieving a mostcomfortable and appropriate motion angle.

Additionally, said chair seat controller 50 could be arranged at apreset location of the chair seat 42 by manual adjustment or onto thecontrol device 4 by electrical adjustment.

With the use of the electric steering/resistance switching system, abigger resistance ratio may be set when a healthy user starts to step onthe footplate. After the foot muscles gradually adapt, the resistanceratio may be reduced by an automatic electric switching system, and thestepping motion of user is driven by a DC motor for a better movementeffect. As for female users, the muscle of legs could also be trimmed.

When a physically disabled user starts the fitness movement, the DCmotor is used to drive the movement along with the trampling set. Whenthe legs gradually recover, a resistance ratio may be set through thecontrol device 4, enabling the user to step continuously via the user'sown force for better recovery efficacy.

1. A fitness cycle structure, comprising a carriage; a trampling setunit on said carriage, said trampling set unit being comprised of a DCmotor, secondary drive unit, and trampling set; a seating unit on saidcarriage; and a control device also being connected said trampling set,said control device comprising: a circuit control unit; an outputmodule, connected with said circuit control unit; a signal control andswitching unit, connected with said output module; a vector compensationmodule, connected with said signal control and switching unit; aresistance control loop, connected with said signal control andswitching unit; a steering control loop, connected with said signalcontrol and switching unit; and a brake module, connected with saidresistance control loop wherein said control device inputs a signal tosaid circuit control unit enabling a power supply to feed an outputpower to said DC motor generating a rated voltage, said signal beingtransmitted via an output module to said signal control and switchingunit, said signal being read computed along with a vector compensationmodule, and then output to said steering control loop, enabling said DCmotor to drive said trampling set so as to form an electric steeringsystem, and wherein if said trampling set is applied to drive said DCmotor when input voltage of said trampling set is bigger than a previousrated voltage of said DC motor, said signal being detected by saidcircuit control unit and fed back reversely to said output module, andthen transmitted to said signal control and switching unit for readingand computation, and finally output said resistance control loop,damping value being output by said brake module, shaping a motionresistance system.
 2. The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 1,wherein said DC motor is a brush motor or brushless motor.
 3. Thefitness cycle structure defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit controlunit is operated through said control device, changing revolution numberof said DC motor, allowing for multi-speed variation of DC motor.
 4. Thefitness cycle structure defined in claim 1, wherein said signal controland switching unit is an operation amplifier (OP AMP).
 5. The fitnesscycle structure defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit control unit isequipped with an A/D converter to detect the change of rated voltage. 6.The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 1, wherein said secondarydrive unit is composed of a pulley, fly wheel and drive belt.
 7. Thefitness cycle structure defined in claim 1, wherein said control deviceis available with a manual switching mode or an automatic switchingmode.
 8. A fitness cycle structure, comprising: a carriage; a tramplingset unit on said carriage, said trampling set unit being comprised of aDC motor, secondary drive unit, and trampling set; a seating unit onsaid carriage, said seating unit having a mobile unit, a lifting unitand a chair seat, said mobile unit being comprised of a slide device anda mobile motor, said mobile motor being adapted onto a front end of saidcarriage and being provided with a shifting axle mated with said slidedevice said lifting unit being coupled with said mobile unit and beingprovided with a support frame, a guide device and a lifting motor, saidsupport frame being fastened onto said slide device, said guide devicebeing mounted onto said support frame, said lifting motor being mountedonto said slide device and being provided with a lifting shaft, saidchair seat being coupled with said lifting unit, said chair seat havinga back coupled with said guide device of said lifting unit and a bottomcoupled with said lifting shaft of said lifting motor; and a controldevice being connected with said trampling set, said control devicecomprising: a circuit control unit; an output module, connected withsaid circuit control unit; a signal control and switching unit,connected with said output module; a vector compensation module,connected with said signal control and switching unit; a resistancecontrol loop, connected with said signal control and switching unit; asteering control loop, connected with said signal control and switchingunit; and wherein said control device inputs a signal to said circuitcontrol unit enabling a power supply to feed an output power to said DCmotor generating a rated voltage, said signal being transmitted via anoutput module to said signal control and switching unit, said signalbeing read computed along with a vector compensation module, and thenoutput to said steering control loop, enabling said DC motor to drivesaid trampling set so as to form an electric steering system, andwherein if said trampling set is applied to drive said DC motor wheninput voltage of said trampling set is bigger than a previous ratedvoltage of said DC motor, said signal being detected by said circuitcontrol unit and fed back reversely to said output module, and thentransmitted to said signal control and switching unit for reading andcomputation, and finally output to said resistance control loop, dampingvalue being output by said brake module, shaping a motion resistancesystem.
 9. The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, wherein DCmotor is a brush motor or brushless motor.
 10. The fitness cyclestructure defined in claim 8, wherein said circuit control unit isoperated through said control device, changing a revolution number ofsaid DC motor, allowing for multi-speed variation of said DC motor. 11.The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, wherein said signalcontrol and switching unit is an operation amplifier (OP AMP).
 12. Thefitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, wherein said circuit controlunit is equipped with an A/D converter, detecting change of ratedvoltage.
 13. The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, whereinsaid secondary drive unit is comprised of a pulley, fly wheel and drivebelt.
 14. The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, wherein saidcontrol device is available with switching between manual and automatic.15. The fitness cycle structure defined in claim 8, wherein the mobileunit and lifting unit of the seating unit moves up/down orforward/backward via a chair seat controller.
 16. The fitness cyclestructure defined in claim 8, wherein said chair seat controller isplaced at a preset location of said chair seat.
 17. The fitness cyclestructure defined in claim 8, wherein said chair seat controller isplaced onto said control device.